Eleven excellent musicians from the Batavia High School and seven from the middle school auditioned for and were chosen to perform in this year’s Land of Grant Honor Band.

The Land of Grant Honor Band is a four-county honors band that performs a special community concert at the beginning of every school year. The band is designed to celebrate as well as represent the most talented student musicians in Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Highland counties.

Founded in 1974 by then Batavia superintendent Charles Nau, the Land of Grant Honor Band was originally developed for the 1976 bicentennial celebration.

“It was initially a 100-piece honor band comprised of students and adults,” Nau said. “It is now a student honor band. I have been amazed year after year that the concept idea and the concerts have worked out so well and have thrived for more than 30 years.”

The members of the Batavia High School band who recently participated in the Land of Grant Honor Band include Tyler Loveless, Will Caudill, Taylor Belcher, Blake Northrup, Evan Phanuef, Josh Hampton, Christi Mueller, Megan McDonough, Olivia Enriquez, Jessica Deweese, and Brooke Chambers.

David Smith said that the Land of Grant Honor Band is a fair way for all Clermont and surrounding county student musicians to showcase their incredible talent, build their confidence, and to naturally, have fun.

"There are many honor bands around but oftentimes the smaller schools get overlooked," Smith said. "The honor band is an effective way for those smaller schools to give these talented kids the opportunity to be part of this tradition."

A tradition, Nau said, that was his greatest contribution during his tenure as superintendent.